Alabama RB Jase McClellan feels '100 percent' in return to practice
LOS ANGELES – Alabama head coach Nick Saban provided a positive update on running back Jase McClellan (foot) on Wednesday and expects McClellan to play in the Rose Bowl semifinal against Michigan on Jan. 1. The senior continued that positive trend on Thursday.
“I feel 100 percent,” said McClellan during Alabama’s offensive media availability. “I’m still getting time under me. There’s still a couple more days till game time so it’s even better.”
McClellan was able to practice during the Crimson Tide’s first two days in California, Saban said on Wednesday, and Alabama’s leading rusher shared what it was like to be on the field.
“It was getting used to playing with the lingering pain,” McClellan said. “I’m still working with that.”
In Alabama’s win over Auburn to conclude the regular season, McClellan “tweaked” a foot injury he has dealt with all season, Saban said, which led the senior to miss the SEC Championship Game against Georgia. McClellan was in uniform for pregame warmups and fielded kickoffs but watched most of the drills before sporting street clothes for the game.
“It was hard just seeing my team out there, watching my team out there without me and not being able to play with them,” McClellan said. “It was hard.”
But was there any chance the Aledo, Texas, native was going to miss the playoff matchup?
“There was no way,” McClellan said. “I was trying not to miss the SEC Championship Game, but they told me it was the best idea to miss it.”
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McClellan rushed for 66 yards on 15 carries and caught an 8-yard pass in the Iron Bowl before his exit in the fourth quarter. The senior running back is Alabama’s leading rusher this season with 803 yards and six touchdowns on 166 carries (4.84 ypc). He also leads the Tide running back room with 13 catches for 126 yards through 12 regular-season games.
McClellan will face a Michigan team that ranks sixth nationally in rushing defense (86.62 ypg) in the CFP semifinal in Pasadena, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 1 (4 p.m. CT on ESPN).
“He’s big, physical,” Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said of McClellan. “He runs downhill. He’s got great speed. He’s got the ability to take a play to the house. But he certainly runs behind his pads like all their backs do.
“If he’s out there, he’s a great challenge and somebody we’ve got to be aware of and know where he’s at, but hopefully, we’ll be prepared for any guy that they throw out there.”
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